שופטים, פרק כ׳, פסוק ט״ז

Within the ranks of the ancient Benjamite army stood a highly specialized military force. This unique elite unit was formed to serve as an exceptional fighting group [מצודת דוד]. The squad consisted of exactly seven hundred handpicked warriors, each specifically chosen for his outstanding abilities [מצודת ציון].

Beyond their elite status, these fighters were defined by a distinct physical trait regarding their dominant hands. There are differing views on the exact nature of this characteristic. One perspective suggests that the right hands of these warriors were physically shriveled and powerless, functioning as if they were completely sealed and unusable [רש״י, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Conversely, another approach explains that these men did not have a physical defect, but were simply naturally left-handed individuals [מצודת ציון].

Regardless of the origin of their left-handedness, the entire unit [רש״י] possessed extraordinary combat skills. They specialized in the use of the sling, a dedicated weapon for hurling stones with great force [מצודת ציון]. Their level of accuracy was almost unfathomable. The commentators agree that these warriors could aim a stone at a target as incredibly fine as a single strand of hair. Despite the extreme difficulty of such a shot, they would strike the hair flawlessly, never once making an error or missing their mark [רש״י, מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון, רד״ק].